Ideally, professionals at the Brain and Spinal Tumor Center at Hahnemann University Hospital would like to treat primary brain tumors, that is tumors that have arisen from brain tissue itself. Practically, they deal with all kinds of brain and spinal tumors, including complications of cancer in other places in the body, metastatic disease from tumors elsewhere in the body and complications from medical or radiation cancer treatment that affects the brain.

Currently incorporating some of the newest technology for brain tumor treatment, the center remains true to the philosophy of personalizing treatment to each patient as much as possible, addressing the whole person behind the diagnosis—the impact of the diagnosis on patient, caregivers and loved ones. The team also works to assure good communications with referring physicians, essential to continuity of care for each patient.

The multidisciplinary team includes:

• Neuro-oncologist
• Radiation oncologist
• Medical oncologist
• Neurosurgeon
• Neurologist
• Pathologist
• Nuclear medicine specialist
• Nurses
• Social worker
• Patient care coordinator

The patient care coordinator follows the patient through the treatment process and serves as the liaison among the whole team, the patient, family and caregivers. Other services, such as nutrition advice, neuropsychology, physical/occupational and speech therapy are available through the Hahnemann system.

With the support and expertise of the multidisciplinary team, patients with all brain tumors, including the most difficult ones and those who are having recurrences, receive support in sorting out all the available options, explanation of the treatment plan the team recommends and understanding of the choices he or she makes with team support.

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Recent technology and treatment helps many brain tumor patients live longer, often with better quality of life. The Brain and Spinal Tumor Center’s support helps centralize and offer important continuity and convenience important to patients and their families and caregivers.

The center’s screening and diagnostic services include:

• Risk factor analysis
• Neurophysiological examination
• CT, MRI, PET and SPECT studies
• Computerized EEG analysis
• Stereotactically-guided biopsies
• Neuropathology

The team tailors treatment options to the needs of each patient. Appropriate specialists see the patients in a single patient visit. Treatments may include:

• Surgery
• Whole or partial brain irradiation
• Stereotactic radiosurgery
• Access to appropriate national prospective randomized chemotherapy trials
• Monoclonal antibodies which deliver radiation doses directly to cancerous cells.

The center’s clinical efforts are supported by extensive research activities. The center participates in national cooperative group chemotherapy studies and ongoing basic research into newer and better methods to treat brain and spinal tumors.

Support groups for patients and families are another source of practical information and resources. Groups encourage greater participation by both patient and family in overall care.  In fact, Hahnemann is proud to be the first hospital in Philadelphia county to join with The Wellness Community of Philadelphia to offer onsite support and education services to cancer patients and their families.    

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